Tokyo, September 12 - In a significant milestone for U.S. Marine Corps aviation operations in the Indo-Pacific, a squadron of F/A-18 Hornets has begun arriving at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, to relieve the first F-35B Lightning II squadron deployed under the Corps' rotational Unit Deployment Program. The incoming aircraft belong to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, known as the Red Devils, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. These versatile multirole fighters, renowned for their agility and combat-proven performance, are set to take over duties from the departing Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, the Black Sheep, which pioneered the F-35B's integration into Japan's forward-deployed forces earlier this year. This transition underscores the Marine Corps' ongoing evolution in airpower projection, balancing cutting-edge stealth technology with the reliable capabilities of legacy platforms like the F/A-18 Hornet. As the Hornets taxi across the flight line at the bustling air station southeast of Hiroshima, they signal a seamless handoff designed to maintain uninterrupted operational readiness amid the region's complex security dynamics. The arrival of these Marine Corps Hornets not only reinforces the station's role as a hub for joint and allied training but also highlights the strategic depth of the Corps' aviation assets in supporting expeditionary missions across the Asia-Pacific.
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The F-35B squadron's deployment, which commenced on March 8, 2025, marked a historic shift as the first U.S.-based rotational unit of these fifth-generation stealth fighters to augment Marine Aircraft Group 12 under the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Hailing from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, VMFA-214's F-35Bs brought advanced sensor fusion, network-centric warfare capabilities, and short takeoff and vertical landing features tailored for austere environments, aligning with the Corps' Force Design 2030 initiatives. During their six-month stint, the Black Sheep squadron engaged in high-intensity exercises, including joint operations at Misawa Air Base in June, a temporary forward deployment to Osan Air Base in South Korea from May 13 to 31, and collaborative flights with U.S. and South Korean forces in the Freedom Flag exercise that spanned April to early May. These activities honed interoperability with regional partners, emphasizing distributed operations and survivability in contested spaces. Now, as the F-35Bs prepare to return stateside, their relief by the F/A-18 Hornets ensures continuity in the Unit Deployment Program, which has long cycled squadrons through Iwakuni to build operational experience and deter potential threats in the Indo-Pacific theater. This F-35B to Hornet transition reflects the Marine Corps' deliberate modernization pace, preserving a mix of aircraft types while phasing in next-generation platforms.
The F/A-18 Hornet, a cornerstone of Marine Corps tactical aviation since the 1980s, continues to deliver unmatched versatility in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, making it an ideal interim asset for rotational deployments to Japan. With up to 12 Hornets expected to operate from MCAS Iwakuni, the Red Devils squadron will integrate into the base's ecosystem, which already hosts two permanently stationed F-35B units, an aerial refueling squadron, and essential logistics support. This setup bolsters the overall capacity of Marine aviation in the region, enabling rapid response to evolving missions while the Corps fully transitions from fourth-generation fighters like the Hornet and the retiring AV-8B Harrier. The Hornets' arrival comes at a pivotal time, as the Indo-Pacific faces heightened tensions, and their participation in upcoming multinational exercises will further strengthen alliances with Japan and other partners. Operational security details regarding the exact completion of the handover remain undisclosed, but the move exemplifies the Marine Corps' commitment to agile force posture, ensuring that air superiority and strike capabilities remain robust without gaps in coverage.
This rotation exemplifies the broader strategic recalibration within U.S. Marine Corps deployments to Japan, where MCAS Iwakuni serves as a linchpin for projecting power from established bases to forward edges. By relieving the inaugural F-35B squadron with battle-tested F/A-18 Hornets, the Corps maintains momentum in its aviation restructuring, supporting concepts like Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations that prioritize distributed lethality and resilience. The seamless integration of these assets not only enhances joint force interoperability but also reassures allies of the United States' enduring presence in the region. As the Red Devils settle in, they carry forward the legacy of previous Hornet rotations, such as those from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 out of MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, while paving the way for future F-35B cycles. Ultimately, this Marine Corps Hornet's arrival to relieve the first F-35B squadron deployed to Japan reinforces a layered approach to airpower, blending proven reliability with innovative stealth to safeguard vital interests in the dynamic Indo-Pacific landscape.